Governor Bill Owens
Hall Of Fame Inductee — 2007
Governor, State of Colorado (1999-2007)
Governor Owens has raised more money for Colorado tourism promotion than anyone else. As Colorado’s 40th governor, he served from January 1999 until term-limited in January 2007. Throughout his administration, he was recognized as a leader in obtaining funds for tourism marketing for the Colorado Tourism Office, especially in the years where no permanent funding existed. His efforts on behalf of the tourism industry culminated in 2006 with his leadership of House Bill 1201, which now provides $19 million for tourism marketing annually, creating the largest travel marketing budget in Colorado history. He was also a leader in Colorado’s transportation system, providing leadership for projects such as T-REX. In 2002, National Review Magazine called Bill Owens “the best governor in America.”
Each Denver & Colorado Tourism Hall of Fame inductee reflects the profile of the inductee at the time of the induction.